TEMPO/Reforestation in Java to be Completed in 2010

TEMPO Interactive, Yogyakarta: Transtoto Handhadari, the Managing Director of Public Company Perhutani, has stated that by 2010, leafless forests in Java must be replanted.

In order to implement this goal, the government will prosecute illegal loggers and others involved.

As many as 872 illegal loggers as well as other involved, said Transtoto, have been prosecuted.

“In addition to residents, there were also security officers and Perhutani officers. An assistant of Perhutani at West Java is being prosecuted as well,” he said during the break at the 2007 Working Meeting of Perhutani Public Company, on Monday (01/22) in Yogyakarta.

According to Transtoto, during the 1998-2001 period, occurrences of illegal logging in Java have been extraordinary.

As a result, around 500,000 hectares of forests in Java are leafless.

“However, after approaching people and upholding the law, the amount of illegal logging can be reduced. The leafless forests are now being replanted,' he said.